Georgetown Students Terrified by Posters Celebrating Charlie Kirk's Murder

Georgetown University students were left terrified after dozens of red posters appeared across the private Washington, D.C., campus on Wednesday, tied to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The John Brown Gun Club, a group described by some outlets as far-left, hung the posters, which appeared within a few hours of Kirk’s death at a rally in Utah. One flyer read, “We protect us. Do something more than symbolic resistance.” A second bore the phrase, “Hey fascist! Catch!” with the line, “The only political group that celebrates when Nazis die,” beneath it. A third poster showed a black-and-white photograph of Kirk with his eyes obscured and an explosion sketched over his neck, with the words “Follow your leader” above and the caption “Rest in piss, Charlie” below.

In the days afterward, Georgetown officials said the posters were removed within 30 minutes, but not before photos and videos circulated widely on social media. The university issued a statement reaffirming its zero-tolerance policy toward violence and threats and saying it was investigating the incident and working to ensure campus safety.

Students interviewed by Fox News described a climate of fear and anger on campus in the wake of the flyers. Senior Jordan Van Slingerland, who is affiliated with Georgetown’s College Republicans, said his initial reaction was fear and noted that the text on the bullets reportedly used in Kirk’s murder — messages including transgender and anti-fascist phrases — was visible in some materials shared online. “What happened to Charlie Kirk hit myself, and, of course, many of my friends on this campus very hard,” he said. He added that while he supports free speech, the incident felt out of bounds and asked the university to take a stronger stand.

Sophomore Cash Moore, a member of the College Democrats, expressed disappointment that some classmates appeared to tolerate violence. “The first thing I thought was a little disappointment that some people, perhaps on this campus, hold that violence is something that is productive in society,” Moore told Fox. He stressed that violence should not be celebrated and that free speech and safety should both be respected. Another student, Max Wolff-Merovick, cautioned that a small number of students might be responsible for the posters and urged the campus not to let the incident define the entire political left or the university community.

The university’s response included a reminder of its commitment to debate and dialogue. Georgetown’s administration said the flyers had been removed and that officials would continue to investigate and to take steps to protect students’ safety. In Washington, White House spokesperson Liz Huston condemned the incident as despicable. Huston argued that the act illustrated how political violence has become more mainstream on the left and emphasized Kirk’s work directing attention to campus discourse.

Officials also cited a broader political context. Some students worried about potential federal or political pushback against Georgetown, including the possibility of funding concerns or other measures, though university officials emphasized that the institution’s policies remain focused on safety and civil discourse. Education Secretary Linda McMahon also condemned the posters, calling the act appalling and urging Georgetown to reflect on its institutional values.

The incident comes amid ongoing debate over free speech on college campuses and the appropriate response to violent rhetoric online and offline. Students stressed that while free expression should be protected, violence and calls to violence should not be tolerated or normalized. Some academics and campus observers noted that a climate of polarization has intensified in recent years, with conservative students reporting heightened scrutiny and, at times, threats.

Georgetown, a private university with more than 20,000 students, has long wrestled with the balance between protecting free expression and maintaining a safe, inclusive campus environment. The university’s statement reiterated its commitment to safety and to upholding campus values in the face of provocative and disturbing rhetoric.

As the investigation continues, students and faculty are awaiting further clarity on any disciplinary actions and on how Georgetown plans to prevent a recurrence of threats that mix political messaging with violent imagery. The incident underscores a broader national conversation about civility, protest, and the boundaries of free speech on college campuses.